Tutor quits UCC radiography course over lack of time students work with patients

Radiographers identify and monitor injuries, diseases or trauma, using X-ray, MRI and other scans. File picture

A practice tutor for radiography students training in Cork has quit in protest at funding shortages with claims students sit in libraries instead of working with patients.

Another senior tutor warned that a Workplace Relations Commission process to address nationwide problems is “at an impasse”.

Radiographers identify and monitor injuries, diseases or trauma, using X-ray, MRI and other scans. Shortages of these specialists for the HSE led to increased government funding for places at University College Cork as well as in Dublin.

However tutors say hospitals were not funded to deliver extra practical modules. 

Radiographer Michelle Mossop has been a practice tutor for nine years while working in the Mercy University Hospital. She stepped down last week as a tutor after months of frustration.

“I have truly valued the role,” she said. “However, I have found the role increasingly difficult to manage as the parameters of the position have changed. 

"Expectations and practices that would not previously have been considered are now being accepted, which has made the role more challenging to sustain.” 

Their pay “does not reflect the level of responsibility”, she added. “As a result, the ability for UCC to retain experienced practice tutors in the long term is limited.”  

John Teape has been a tutor for over 18 years and in radiology for over 30 years, including with CUH. He has been engaging with the HSE on behalf of Siptu and the practice tutors national committee at the WRC. 

"All the academic institutions have increased their intake, but there’s not been a pro rata increase in resources to the hospitals, so how we teach," he said.  

In one example, he said: “At present we have students who should be working 'clinical hours' studying in the library instead. This is akin to learning to drive by a simulator.” 

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He is aware of plans to further increase numbers but said: “There will be more students in libraries.” 

In addition, he warned: "We’re now starting to hear from radiography service managers who employ the radiographers that the quality has gone down. It’s not the same." 

He pointed out the HSE were "made aware of shortfall potential clinically" before student numbers were raised. 

HSE response

Just weeks ago, HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry wrote to HSE regions reminding them to make placements available in all professions.

In the letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, he said providing clinical practice placements is “critical” for students and the HSE workforce. 

HSE Southwest said: “We recognise that there is a currently a shortfall in the number of available placements to support these training places, and intensive work is underway regionally and nationally to address this.” 

It is working with universities and “radiology service managers in individual hospitals”, a spokeswoman said.

“HSE South West is aware of the importance of ensuring a continued supply of appropriately qualified radiographers. We note and welcome the government funding for additional radiography training places on a multi-annual basis."